Of Penguins and Plaid

I love to use plaid patterns on holiday cards, and I have the perfect stamp to do so, but it just doesn't quite have the desired effect when stamped in a single color, and rather then taking the time to carefully color the image, I decided to make my own pattern using distress ink and the masking technique. After which I colored the Penguins hat and scarf to coordinate, and framed him with my two favorite Nestability dies, regular oval and the scalloped oval.
 I just love how this turned out, and can't wait to mail it off!

I think I'm almost caught up with my Christmas cards this year, now if I can just get them out on time.

Have a great weekend!
Hannah and the DCD Team

Bringin' home the Christmas tree

It looks Like Arlene has gone into the tree delivery business with these three fun cards

 

Arlene at A Bit of This and That

 

WINNER for November Challenge

Drum Roll Please!

The winner of the November challenge is:

# 76

Please contact us at thedcdivas@gmail.com so we may give you the information so you may collect your 7 images from Bugaboo Digital Stamps.


We have a brand new button for those picked by the DTs. YOU may have been selected, so read all the way down to see if you were selected as a DT favorite.  Those who were, go pick up your button under our button tab at the top of our blog.



Some of the DTs just had to do a FAVORITE PICK OF THE MONTH.  We have a very busy team, but you just have to take some time and make a special pick.  There are so many wonderful projects, CAS, Ornate, Elegant, Textural, and on and on.  I always have so many favorites that I am glad I don't have to pick one for the winner of the prize.

Here are some of the DT picks for November:

Cathie's pick

The concept of this card is fantastic with the three fold and the images are adorable, I kept coming back to it and finding new things to find, love it.



Arlene's Pick
I loved the shading of all the items on this image.  That's what brought me to this pick.  There were so many wonderful entries, but I love the color coordination, of background paper and embellishments with the colors in the image and that shading.  I actually had a number that I went back and forth on.




Michelle's Pick

 This reminds me so much of my Swedish heritage-the red and white sweater background design, the skates that look like real wood and steel, framed nicely with the postage stamp frame. The dimensional holly and pine cones really add a nature look-this is an outdoorsy card that just puts you on a frozen lake having fun. It was hard to pick just one, there were so many fabulous cards to choose from!

Hannah's Pick

I just love the simple elegance, the frosted look of the embossed border,  and the inlayed sequin ornaments, and kraft and maroon/burgundy is one of my favorite color combinations.  I also love the choice of the "backdrop" it beautifully showcases the card and just makes it stand out adding to the eye catching effect.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season from the Die Cut Divas.

December's Challenge is Snow and Christmas/ Holidays

Happy December!

How do you celebrate during the winter holiday season?

Since we are all busy this time a year, the December challenges are easy and helps you get those last minute greeting cards done and out.
So we would love to see your winter holiday and snowy scene cards.

We also have a new sponsor which I'm very Excited About! 

2 winners will receive $10 gift cards to spend at their fun store HERE

be sure to check them out and sign up for their newsletter and deals!

If you are new to our challenges please click on the rules tab above, and if you have any questions you can email us at thedcdivas@gmail.com.

And now for some lovely examples from our very own Diva's

Marsha Drain 

Elizabeth Crafts Designs Accordion Circle Card, Penquin, Cuttlebug snowflakes, Silhouette snowflakes

Arlene at A Bit of This and That

Elizabeth Craft Designs Poppy The Owl, Elizabeth Craft Designs Sprig with Berries, Memory Box Patisserie Labels. Poppy is made from a striped tissue box.

                                     

      Hannah

Using the Memory Box ornament die

 

Dawn

Spellbinders Labels 1, Spellbinders Poinsettia Cherry Lynn Holly

 Michelle

Done with Elizabeth Crafts Design Holiday House, My Favorite Things Die-Namic Snow Drifts, Cricut trees, paper from stash.

Cathie at House of Borowski
She has used a Wild Rose Studio Snowflake Corner and Spellbinders Nestibilities Classic Scallop Squares

An InLinkz Link-up

Bye, Bye, November

 A Big Thank You to Bugaboo Digital Stamps, our November Sponsor.  Couldn't do it without them.

November is almost over.  I want to say "stop" but I don't think time gives a fig about my thoughts.


A Fairy with a twinkle in her eye!  I think we are very fairy conscious this month.  Dawn has hit the title on the dot with "Naughty or Nice?" here.  Bugaboo image "Fairy Christmas" is an image you could color over and over again.  I think you'll see that I love this little sweet image too.  Check out Dawn's World to see more of Dawn's work.

I see Hannah is thinking ahead. I see some crazy reindeer in the forecast!  Dawn and Michelle showed off these fellows in their November 24th post.  Just some wild and crazy guys!

It's the Make it Snappy - Reindeer Trio

I also think this wonderful  Fairy Christmas had our DTs smiling while they were coloring and designing.  She is really lovely in every way.

You can visit Arlene at A Bit of This and That for her other card with Fairy Christmas here.

Cathie has taken this opportunity to do a set of cards using the Snowflake Reindeer Silhouette. You can see the other versions here.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas wish you wonderful days ahead.

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving to all 

Marsha wanted to share this darling card and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Isn't this the cutest?  She makes me smile and I'm ready to take that turkey right out of her hands.

 

The paper is perfect for this little gal, reminds me of homey days, quilting and the smells of dinner on the table.  YUM!  

Spellbinders

Thanksgiving Brat  

Meet a Bugaboo Sun Bonnet girl, while I have some Thanksgiving bird myself.  I can't help myself, another Bugaboo Sun Bonnet (SB) gal.  Want some turkey direct from the oven?   Here it comes, delivered by a home spun gal from Bugaboo.

I love the deep colors and I can almost smell the turkey roasting at this point.  A real winner for me.  I really love the greens - Copics YR 61, YR 63 and YR 67.

Arlene at A Bit of This and That

We're thinking TURKEY today.  See what Cathie has for you today!

Be sure to visit House of Borowski today.

Bugaboo Brat Turkey Image, Spellbinders Mega Ovals Large, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder -Cathie wanted to keep the card simple as she is so bright and lovely 

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas wishing you a great Thanksgiving!

DEER ME!

Bugaboo spotted you like a deer in the headlights.  Hoping you're getting your cards done.  I have special and "deer" cards to share with you today.

First up on the DEER cards is our DT, Michelle Nutter.  She's made these cute deer look even cuter!  What fun!

Visit Michelle at Just A Nutter Stamper

Bugaboo Stamps "Reindeer Trio"

Cuttlebug 

Advent embossing folder

White chalk ink

Jolees Christmas String lights

Next in the DEER headlights is our DT, Dawn Turley.  I can see she's waiting for them to burst into song and she's got the music sheet ready to go.  What a trio of songsters are these.  

Be sure to visit Dawn at Dawn's World.

Hope your month is not going as fast as ours is.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Where's that Ornament?

Sit down and have some fun!  I'm all excited!

Tis the time to work on your holiday cards.  I'm sure you must know I love, love, love the Bugaboo Sun Bonnet (SB) gals. This gal can be found here.   I think the gal needs to be careful with that ornament.  It looks pretty heavy.  I colored her with Copic markers as well as the panels on the sides.

If you enjoy coloring, she's a dream to color.  I hope you enjoy the Die Cut Divas' November Challenge.  I've gotten all giddy!

Front of card

See how the card opens

Inside of card when opened.  

I saved some space to write a little something under the Season's Greetings.

Seen from the back of the card - yes I decorated the back too, with Winter Circle Sentiments - Jingle Bells..

I love the bells on the back as they make a beautiful backing without much work.  A little bit of coloring and a circle die-cut and it's done.  See the recipe at A Bit of This and That.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Marsha's Cup of Cocoa or is that Chocolate?

I hope you're having fun!  The DTs here at Die Cut Divas are!

A day for Holiday Cheer and hot chocolate!

Marsha's up with a delightful card full of Joy and hot cocoa and miniature marshmallows.  This is so cheery and fun!  It looks like this Teddy is enjoying a taste too.

I'm tasting a sweet hot chocolate in place of Teddy's cocoa!

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

The Purple Place, Right Here on Die Cut Divas!

Have you been seeing Lisa's work at The Purple Place?  You NEED to!

Now I would like to welcome Lisa Haines to Die Cut Divas. Lisa was kind enough to answer some questions for us and wait til you see her craft room.   Lisa did a card for us too.  Whoohoo!

Tell us a little about yourself--

    

    I live in Northeastern Massachusetts with my Hubby and our three rescued "Furbabies" - Scout, Skye and Zeva.  I'm also a very proud Mom to two amazing adult sons, Brian and Alex who have always been the greatest Joys of my life.  I love living on the coast and also LOVE the beach and nice warm sunshine.  I'm not a big fan of Winter and hope to eventually retire somewhere that is warm all year long~!

      

Wish I were on the coast.  Just don't bring the cold.

How long have you been a card maker/scrapper & when did you start?

   I started paper-crafting in February of 2007, shortly after finding my life turned upside down after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Degeneratie Disc Disease.  I was suddenly living in a whole new world -- no longer able to work and a bit lost --- My life changed in many ways and I found I truly needed a NEW hobby, that's when a gal I met in a Fibro Support Group -- suggested I try Paper-Crafting!   I feel in love with the hobby and it's now my passion and a wonderful form of therapy and relaxation for me.   I can't image my life now without it and LOVE every minute I spend being creative.

Do you follow sketches or dive right in?

   I'm a dive right in kind of gal!   The only time I start with something in mind, is when I'm playing in a challenge that is based on a certain theme or sketch!  Challenges are another part of the hobby that I truly enjoy!  I love that they inspire me to try new things and design cards I might otherwise never think of on my own.

A woman after my own heart, DIVE RIGHT IN!

How many projects do you make a week?

     I would guess that I average about ten cards a week, if not more!   Being home daily, I do have a lot of time and as long as I'm feeling well, I love spending time in my craft room! 

What is your favourite tool (what can't you create without) & why?

     Boy, that's a tough one?  --- I love so many of my tools, but I guess I would say my "Copic Markers" which have been one of the most expensive and valued investments .   I love to color and find that the most relaxing part of creating.   I love all the products related to card-making from inks and stamps, to dies , bling, and of course "Paper" ! 

What at the moment is your most favourite thing to do on your project? 

       I love to add Sparkle to my cards!   Gems, Pearls, Glitter or the amazing sparkle you get from a Wink of Stella marker -- there is almost always some time of sparkle or shine on each of my cards!   

How would you describe your style?

       I don't have one style that I feel I have truly mastered, but I do love "Clean and Simple" designs and also love cards that have lots of vibrant colors -- especially Purple...

What about your style would you change (or not) & why?

       I don't necessarily want to change anything, but I love to continue to enhance my creativity and try new ideas and techniques.  That's a reason I also love to take lots of classes, both online and at my LSS.

So right, Lisa,  art is learning and incorporating new ideas into our current techniques.

Have you been published or on a Design team - when & where?

      I have been on a nice variety of Design Teams  and I currently design for a wonderful Hero Arts retailer --  the  a2z Scrapbooking Supply Store, which is an Etsy based store.  We also have a fabulous blog and host monthly challenges and daily posts!  

       And I was also published twice in a craft publication called "Through the Craftroom Door".    And even though TTCRD is a small publication, to have my cards featured, was a huge honor, especially since it was in the early days of my crafting .   You can see more on that on my blog HERE !!   I have never been published in any of the larger or more well-known publications, but have also submitted to many of their calls!   That's still a goal I am working toward and one day I hope to achieve!

 
Describe (pictures are even better) your crafting area

       Currently, I'm in the process of moving into a new space in my home, which I am loving.   My new craft room is much sunnier, but is also a smaller space, so it's been a blessing in that I'm being very picky about what I can keep and have been taking it very slow so that I can totally re-organize all of my stash during this move.   I've already done one major purge, and happily donated all those goodies to a local "Dachshund Rescue" who sold them as part of  a large fundraising event.  I love that I was able to help them out and plan to continue to donate to them in the future. 

  

Look at this organizational space!!!!!!!

        I additionally love to create cards that I can donate to organizations.  I have been an Operation Write Home card-maker for the past five years and also create and donate cards to two local Dachshund groups (Furever Dachshund Rescue and Little Paws Rescue), the two groups who helped bring Skye and Zeva into my life.   I also enjoy taking part in card-drives for special people and events, and love helping make others smile!  

I can see Lisa sitting here creating away.

Do you have a blog? If not where can we see more of your fabulous creations?

        I do have a blog, it's called "ThePurplePlace" and is named after my passion for the color purple, which you'll often see in my card creations.   Purple is also the Awareness Ribbon color for Fibromyalgia, which also makes it very dear to me!  I also have a Gallery on Flickr and a board of all my recent cards in a Gallery over at Pinterest!

Here's what Lisa did for us today!

Just love the colors, don't you?  Lisa used a Bugaboo Stamps image here, in honor of our sponsor, 

Thank you LISA!

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

Caroling, Caroling

Our sponsor this month is none other than Bugaboo Stamps.  As you can tell, all the DTs are having lots of fun coloring and making those special cards just for you.

Michelle has started the caroling season with joy in her heart.  Don't you love the kids and background papers?  Just too cute and these kids look like they could sing all night long.

Featuring a November Card from Michelle

Visit Michelle at Just A Nutter Stamper

Carolers-Spellbinders Label

Unity Stamp Co

Kaisercraft paper

American Crafts twine

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas hope you are enjoying November

Would You Believe "Mother's Day"?

Bugaboo Digital Stamps is our great sponsor for November and I had to go back to this coffee drinking Stella, so those coffee drinkers out there ( YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) could get their start to the day.

Here Stella is, for you coffee drinkers to enjoy.

Stella peeker - darth vader coming at you!

Maybe I should have captioned this - Halloween visions or You've got that COFFEE feelin',  I thought that mothers need patience and this should provide a nice card to go with a super cup of coffee for all the moms out there.  

On the inside you might say "Would you grab me another cup of that?"

See A Bit of This and That for more information on this card.

Arlene and the Die Cut Divas

A Second Post Today in Honor of All Veterans

In the USA, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day.  

Australians and New Zealanders recognise 25 April as a ceremonial occasion to reflect on the cost of war and to remember those who fought and lost their lives for their country. Commemorative services and marches are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, mainly at war memorials in cities and towns across both nations and the sites of some of Australia and New Zealand's more-recognised battles and greatest losses, such as Villers-Bretonneux in France^[27] and Gallipoli in Turkey.^[28]

One of the traditions of Anzac Day is the 'gunfire breakfast' (coffee with rum added) which occurs shortly after many dawn ceremonies, and recalls the 'breakfast' taken by many soldiers before facing battle. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres.

The restoration of Poland's independence was gradual. The 11 November date chosen is the one on which Józef Piłsudski assumed control of Poland.^[1][2] The holiday was constituted in 1937 and was celebrated only twice before World War II. After the war, the communist authorities of the People's Republic removed Independence Day from the calendar,^[3] though reclamation of independence continued to be celebrated informally on 11 November. The holiday was officially replaced by the National Day of Poland's Revival, celebrated on the 22 July anniversary of the PKWN Manifesto. As Poland emerged from Soviet-influenced communism in 1989, the original holiday—on its original 11 November date—was restored.

The date corresponds to the date of other countries' Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, or Veteran's Day. All of these holidays and Polish Independence Day are indirectly related because they all emerged from the circumstances at the end of World War I. 

The above information came from Wikipedia.  All peoples suffer in war.  

All veterans should be remembered.

It's beginning to look like Christmas, Marsha Style

Bugaboo Stamps has joined the party!

Marsha's Christmas Brat Girl is just darling and is the showcase of the card.  

You'll have to visit Marsha's blog today.

Spellbinder circle and scallop, Christmas Brat Girl from Bugaboo

Trick or Treat!

Our sponsor for November is Bugaboo Digital Stamps.  I just have so much fun with their images and so do our DTs.

Cathie has been playing with this little gal and made a cute spooky card and I wasn't sure you could have cute and spooky together, but Cathie's done the trick.

Be sure to visit Cathie at House of Borowski. 

Cathie had to do this image, she is so cute, we got Cuttlebug Curls and Swirls and Typewritter letter dies and spellbinders label 11 and Bugaboo Boo Halloween Princess.

Have fun playing - from the Die Cut Divas!